"You need to relax."
"You relax," Jo shot back with a forced grin of cheerfulness. She wrapped her fingers tighter around the oreo dump cake sitting on her lap and looked pointedly out the window. Green and gold flashed by, ferns and pine trees and underbrush blending together as they rode to Ryker's house. Jo was sitting shotgun while Ryker drove too quickly.
He had texted her to let her know that while things weren't great, no one was hurt. Duncan had just been testing them again. Or messing with them. Whatever he was doing with the Monroe pack. Ryker had decided to stay over at Brett's house, and Jo understood. She would've probably done the same thing if it had been someone in her family, though she didn't have any siblings.
Ryker had shown up at her house about an hour ago, while she had been putting the finishing touches on her cake. It wasn't much to look at, but it was delicious. Her mom used to make it for her and her friends all the time back when she had been in high school.
"They're going to love you," Ryker said, reaching over to put his hand on her leg. "Lexi already thinks you're amazing. And Brett liked you when he met you."
"He met me as a patient. This is different," she said, but she resituated her hold on the glass dish and put her hand over his.
"Hell, this time you're bringing cake. He'll definitely think you're great. And it's cute."
"What is?"
"The cake thing. You didn't have to do that," he said, squeezing her leg.
Jo shrugged and turned her attention away from the sun-streaked forest. "It's polite. Or maybe I'm trying to buy their approval with sweets. It's a fifty-fifty chance of being one or the other."
"Or both," Ryker said with a grin. "If it makes you feel better, you're my mate, so it's pretty much guaranteed you'll fit in with us."
Jo laughed, which maybe had been Ryker's goal--she could feel herself loosening up a bit. "I may not be a werewolf, but I'm pretty sure that's not how it works."
"Well, since I'm the werewolf, I get to be the authority on this one then."
Jo rolled her eyes but was distracted as they turned off the main road and onto the gravel driveway that went up a steep mountainside.
"This must be a lot of fun to drive in the winter," Jo murmured, craning her neck to eye the driveway.
"If it looks like we'll get really bad weather we sometimes park at the bottom of the driveway," Ryker said with a shrug. "But you learn to handle it, or run around as a wolf instead." He winked at her, then squeezed her leg. "I'll teach you when winter gets here."
"You'll actually let me drive myself to school?" Jo turned back to look at him, smirking a little. She didn't think it was intentional on Ryker's part, but because they liked to spend the time together that they could, he'd been driving her to school pretty regularly the past few weeks. Except for the days he needed to handle pack business.
"You're right, scratch that, I don't wanna think about you hitting ice on a mountain road," Ryker said.
Oh, serious Ryker. Whoops, she'd been trying to keep things playful and distract the two of them from the upcoming meet-the-family shabang. "Don't worry, I'll just melt all the snow in front of the car as we go."
Ryker chuckled, shaking his head. "I entirely believe you would." He squeezed her hand, and Jo realized they'd come to a stop in front of a beautiful white farmhouse with a big front porch and what looked to be a tin roof. There were woods all around the back of the house, but the front was cleared enough that as she got out of the car, she couldn't help but marvel at the expansive view of the Smokies.
She hadn't realized she'd stood there for several seconds until Ryker's arms came around her from behind, one arm curling around her middle, his hand settling at her hip. His other hand took the cake from her as he kissed her hair. "I forget sometimes what kinda view we got here."
"It's beautiful," Jo said, leaning back against him. Being surrounded by him like this, it was impossible to feel anxious.
"I'm glad you like it." Ryker hesitated and Jo turned slightly to look up at him. "One day, if we want to...the Alpha usually lives here."
Oh. There was a lot to process in that statement right there.
"One step at a time," Jo said lightly, deciding now was not the time to dwell on that. She kissed Ryker quickly, not wanting him to overthink her reaction either. "How about I meet your family first?"
"Right." Giving her an easy smile, Ryker released her, only to offer his hand. Taking comfort in his solid grip, she walked with him up the porch steps toward the door, which was thrown open before they could even reach it.
A little kid with thick curly dark brown hair and golden brown skin came barreling out the door. The screen door slammed against the side of the house, which got a shout of disapproval from inside.
"She's coming, she's coming!" the kid shouted. He raced around, skirting Ryker as he reached for him. He jumped off the steps then raced back up them to hide directly behind Ryker, his hands stretched up and pressed to Ryker's back.
"This is Conner," Ryker said, "Brett and Aaliyah's oldest."
Right, the five year old. Jo glanced back behind Ryker, and Conner gave her a bright smile before shoving his hands against Ryker's back.
"Tell Lexi to stop," Conner said, trying to push Ryker forward.
Ryker, however, was an immovable object when he wanted to be. He planted his feet firmly and handed the cake back over to Jo. With a smooth, quick motion, he picked up Conner, spun him around and tossed him over his shoulder. "C'mon, kiddo. It can't be that bad, whatever it is. What does she want you to do, bake a cake? Karaoke?"
"Noo!" Conner squirmed around, trying to escape. "Uncle Ryker--"
"Conner, get back here!" Lexi's voice announced her arrival right before she pushed the door open. She tossed Jo a casual wave before putting her hands on her hips and frowning up at her nephew. "I'm going to teach you how to do Copperhead Road, you're going to love it."
"Oh. I get it." Ryker nodded once then set Conner back on the steps. "I'll hold her off for a minute."
Conner let out a whoop and took off toward the side of the house as fast as he could. Lexi started to go after him, but Ryker caught her arm. "Stop torturing the kid, will you?"
"Learning to line dance is not torture," Lexi huffed. "Tell him, Jo."
"Actually, I've never learned that one, either..." Jo said, then wondered if she should've mentioned it, seeing how wide Lexi's eyes got.
"You're joining my amateur dance class after dinner!" Lexi said, "I'm making Aaliyah and Brett do it too, and Ryker--"
"No," Ryker said, looping his arm around Jo and taking the cake from her. He deftly opened the door and held it open with his foot as he hurried Jo inside, his free hand against her lower back. The house was big inside and the foyer was painted in light colors offset by warm wood decor. It gave it almost a cabin-ish feel, very cozy and lived in.
"But it'd help--"
"Nope. One time Lexi. When I learned it, you said that would be the only time. You had your one time."
"Wait..." Jo winked at Lexi as she stopped in the doorway, holding the door open. "You mean you're never gonna let me see you do this dance?'
Ryker gave a flat look that had Jo uncharacteristically giggling. Oh, it was so happening now. Lexi gave her two thumbs up then stepped back out on the porch to yell for Connor.
"I hear some familiar voices!" A second later Brett appeared. He looked much more tired compared to the last time Jo had seen him, with dark circles under his eyes, but his expression was warm as he embraced Ryker and then turned and hugged Jo as well.
"Hey Jo, good to see you again."
"Good to see you too," she said politely. She couldn't help but think back to last night and what had probably caused those dark circles. "Everyone doing okay?"
"We're fine now," he said, "thank you for asking though." He then clapped a hand on Ryker's shoulder. "Speaking of which, dad will want to talk to you, he's got some meeting with Duncan planned or something like that."
Ryker nodded, expression tight for a moment. "He out back?"
"Yeah, with everyone else," Brett turned back around, leading them through a living room/kitchen area, and right out to a back porch and backyard where the smell of grilling meat permeated the air.
"Oh, you must be Jo!" Jo turned to the left a little as Ryker's hand settled on her lower back again. Brett wrapped his arm around a woman with curls matching Conner's, dark brown skin, and tawny eyes currently sparkling with warmth
"And you must be Aaliyah," Jo said, grinning at the woman who'd just spoken. She'd heard so much about Brett's wife from Ryker. Aaliyah chuckled and stepped out of Brett's arms to hug her.
"I've been dying to meet you but Ryker here..." Aaliyah elbowed Ryker none too gently, " was busy keeping you all to himself."
Oh, she really liked this family. "Glad I'm not the only one who likes to tease Ryker."
"Oh, you too?" Aaliyah's smile was broad. "We're officially friends already."
"I can't win," Ryker groaned.
Brett snorted, not sympathetic at all. "Someone's finally learning."
"Brett, come take over the grill so I can meet my son's mate!" It was said in a friendly enough tone, but Jo couldn't help but tense as they all turned toward the man at the grill. Her boyfriend's dad. The current Alpha. This was the big test, she knew that instinctively even if Ryker insisted there was no test, no person she had to impress.
And he certainly was imposing. He looked a lot like Ryker, just older, more lined and weathered, and with more beard. And his eyes weren't the same clear hazel as Ryker's--he must have gotten that from his mom. Instead, they were piercing blue, and currently studying Jo very intently.
"Okay, but if everything burns, it's not my fault," Brett said. He glanced toward Ryker for a moment and something unspoken passed between the two of them.
Aaliyah offered Jo an encouraging smile. "Don't let him intimidate you. He's not as scary as he looks."
"Yes, I am," Ryker's dad said as he came their way, passing a spatula off to Brett as they passed each other. Brett gave his dad a goofy salute, and behind them, Lexi and Conner went racing past, Conner still in the lead.
Aaliyah rolled her eyes at her father-in-law and headed over to Brett, who was listening to a smaller boy babble at him while he took over the grill. "Conner, go wash your hands!"
Ryker's arm slid around Jo's waist, drawing her closer. She appreciated his support, but she kept her eyes on his dad.
"Dad, this is Josephine Scott. But she goes by Jo," Ryker said, sounding almost formal. "Jo, this is my dad. Malcolm Monroe."
Malcolm nodded once and then jerked his chin toward Ryker. "So, Jo. You don't care he's a werewolf?"
Jo took in a quick breath. This wasn't a test. But it was, in a way. Ryker's fingers curled inward, pressing into her side.
"Dad."
Jo leaned into Ryker's side and jumped in before he could come to her rescue. She had to do this herself.
"As long as he doesn't shed too much on the furniture, I don't see why it'd be a problem," Jo said in a calm, even tone. She offered Malcolm a smirk and then reached over to grab the cake from Ryker. She held it out to Malcolm. "And werewolves aren't allergic to chocolate, right?"
Malcolm crossed his arms over his chest, a gesture so much like Ryker's it made her eyebrows rise. He looked at her for a long moment, eyes narrowed, a frown on his face. Then he reached out and took the cake from her, his frown melting into a warm half-smile. "Sharp. I think you'll survive."
"It'd take more than you being rude to scare her off," Ryker said, glaring at him.
"It's an honest question, son."
"Not the way you put it."
Jo put her hand on Ryker's chest. "Hey. It's okay." She threaded her fingers through his, her dark brown eyes meeting his hazel ones. It really was all right. If Malcolm was anything like Ryker, he was being protective. "You weren't exactly all friendly when I first met you, either."
"Wait, I haven't heard about this," Aaliyah said from over near the grill as she scooped the child who was presumably her youngest up.
Ryker groaned as Malcolm opened a cooler, gesturing for Jo to pick a drink. She grabbed a coke and smirked as Malcolm raised an eyebrow. "Please do tell. I'm sure I'll never hear it from my son."
"Sorry, babe," Jo said, echoing Ryker's favorite pet name when he was teasing her.
"No you're not," Ryker said with an exaggerated sigh, tugging her hand to lead her toward a group of mismatched chairs circled up in the lawn near the grill.
"Well, no, since it's only the truth, but I'm trying to be for your sake."
"Don't worry about him, he'll recover just fine," Malcolm said, taking a sip from his beer. "Let's hear the story."
Jo grinned, settling back against the chair. "Well, it started with him assuming I was trying to break into places I wasn't supposed to go..."
"You were buying bolt cutters!"
"And then he accused me of wanting to go tramping through the woods in places I shouldn't go..."
"It can be dangerous to just wander off into the woods if you don't know what you're doing," Ryker grumbled.
"And then I'm pretty sure he accused me of following him..."
Ryker slid his hand across his face, ignoring his family's laughter. Lexi's was particularly loud; she had wandered closer, allowing Conner to escape for the moment. "I was hoping you wouldn't notice I was following you."
"The Monroe protective streak," Aaliyah said, settling into a chair with a young child in her arms. Must be the youngest nephew, Talon.
"In full force," Jo said, shaking her head. "You should have seen him when I sprained my ankle."
"You really should have," Brett said, chuckling. "But really, why were you such a jackass at first to your mate?"
Aaliyah made a face at him. "Ladies and children present."
"Sorry," Brett mumbled. "But really."
"Yeah," Jo said, turning to look at Ryker. "Really."
Ryker stared hard at the grass as if he wished it'd spontaneously combust. Jo felt a little bad--she was sure he hadn't expected to be the one at the receiving end of the inquisition tonight. So before he could even answer, she jumped in.
"He didn't know what to do about me being human," she filled in. At least, that's what Ryker told her.
Ryker flashed her a grateful look and reached out for her hand. "Trust me, I didn't like doing it." He looked over at his dad, expression serious. "I just wanted to be smart about bringing her into our world, make sure I wasn't putting her in danger."
Malcolm nodded, eyes thoughtful. "I don't know how much has changed."
"More than you know," Ryker said quietly.
But before they could explain, Brett called from his place at the grill. "Someone bring me a plate unless y'all like your burgers crisply black!"
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I hope everyone is having a great weekend! <3